Resilient supporting structures



Jan. 24, 1961 E. L. PETERSEN 2,953,818

RESILIENT SUPPORTING STRUCTURES Filed Dec. 16, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 E?) auezzz q'x azzferaen Jan. 24, 1961 E. L. PETERSEN 2,96

RESILIENT SUPPORTING STRUCTURES United States Patent C) RESILENT SUPPORTING STRUCTURES Earl L. Petersen, 203 Hawthorne Blvd., Wheaton, 111.

Filed Dec. 16, 1958, Ser. No. 780,759

10 Claims. (Cl. 5-246) This invention relates generally to resilient supporting structures, and more specifically, to certain lever and spring arrangements providing an assembly ideally suited for use as a bed spring.

' A persistent problem in the art of resilient cushioning structures such as bed springs concerns the need for providing variations in support commensurate with the variations in weight or loading which may be placed upon the spring or supporting means. This problem is complicated when the area of loading is small relative to the total area of the spring. With the loading applied to a relatively small area, that area must absorb a disproportionate amount of the total load relative to the un loaded areas thereof. These problems are solved in a unique, simple and efficient manner in the subject invention, the object of which -is to provide a resilient supporting arrangement for a relatively large surface such as a bed spring wherein any loading of the surface over a relatively small area is spread over the entire surface and wherein the degree of support will vary directly with the weight of the load.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a resilient supporting structure for a relatively large surface using certain leverage and spring arrangements wherein the supported surface or upper frame will not tilt relative to the plane of the base or lower frame under any loading pattern, especially edge loading, and which arrangement in operation will not permit any lateral movement of the supported surface relative to the base.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide resilient supporting means for a relatively large flat surface using leverage arrangements and multiple springing assemblies which will provide for additional resilient support when the loading varies from one relatively large load to an additional relatively large load.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a leverage arrangement for a resilient supporting device using a minimum number of levers while providing a construction which will not permit any tilting of the supported surface relative to the base, further providing a construction which is easy to assemble and maintain and is relatively safe in use.

Another and still further important object of this invention is the provision in a mattress support of a taut, fiat, spring supported surface that remains level and has a minimum of side-to-side and head-to-foot movement regard ess of the weight or relative positions of a fications and drawings of which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the present invention with most of the upper surfacing ma- Patented Jan. 24, 1961 terial removed to show the frame and lever construction;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the structure shown in Figure 1 and taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the present invention with the covering surface removed;

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the structure shown in Figure 4 and taken along the line 55 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an end elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 4.

The present embodiments are the preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that changes can be made in the present embodiments by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

For a general description of the present invention, reference is made to the drawings. The supported surface which is substantially rectangular in shape is substantially inflexible and comprises a frame of substam tially rigid members covered by a top sheet or surface. A lower frame is carried on suitable legs or caster assemblies and is shorter in length than the upper frame. Four substantially identical leverage arrangements are provided between the upper and lower frames and are each disposed between the central portions thereof and extend diagonally outwardly toward the corners thereof. These lever arrangements permit the upper frame to move upwardly and downwardly but prevent the upper frame from tilting in any direction relative to the lower frame and further prevent the upper frame from any appreciable lateral movement relative to the lower frame. In the first embodiment of the present invention a pair of coiled springs are positioned between the upper and lower frames substantially at the center thereof. The pair of coiled springs provide resilient support for the upper surface with one spring of the pair supporting loads in a first range such for example as the reclining of one person on the upper surface, and with the other coiled spring providing further resilient support only when the loading is increased beyond that of the first range. such as for example when a second person is also adding weight to the upper surface for support thereof. In the second embodiment four pairs of leaf springs are provided between the upper and lower frames with two pairs of the leaf springs operating to support loading in a first range and with the remaining two pairs of leaf springs providing additional support in a second higher range of loading. Only two types of springs are shown in detail, but it should be understood that other types may be used, such as for example air springs which may have their yielding characteristics adju table to accommodate varying loads.

For a detailed description of the present invention continued reference is made to the drawings, and particularly Figures l3 for a detailed description of the first embodiment of the present invention. The upper frame 10 comprises a rectangularly shaped edge member 11 which is formed of a bar material such as steel but which may also be formed of angle iron or channel shaped members. The upper frame 10 further com rises a plurality of cross members 12 which are secured between the side portions of the member 11 in a para lel spacedapart relationship to each other. The cross members 12 are formed in a T-shape but may a so be formed in an I or channel shape. A covering surface 13 is also provided and is secured on the upper sides of the member 11 and the cross members 12. The covering surfaces 13 maybe formed of a material such as perforated sheet plastic, steel or fiberboard.

The lower frame 14 comprises a pair of side rails or members 15 secured in a spaced apart relationship to each other to the ends of cross members 16. Similarly to the upper frame 10, the members 15 and 16 in the lower frame may also be formed of an I or channel shaped material. The cross members 16 are of a length shorter than the cross members 12 of the upper frame thereby positioning the side members substantially within the vertical plane of the side portions of the member 11 of the upper frame 11!. The end portions of the side members 15 are angled outwardly to the sides of the upper frame 10 and at the ends thereof are supported by four legs 17. The legs 17 are carried on caster assemblies 18. The present embodiment is provided with three cross members 16 and the center cross member 16 is also provided with a leg 17 and caster assembly 18 secured to the underside and at the center of cross member 16 and depending therefrom.

Each of the four lever arrangements 19 which are carried between the upper frame 10 and the lower frame 14 comprise a pair of levers 2t) and 2 1. Each pair of levers 20 and 21 is pivotally interconnected substantially at the longitudinal centers thereof by means such as pins 22. The inward end of each lever 20 is pivotally connected to a bracket 23. Each bracket 23 is secured to the cross member 16 of the lower frame 14 at a point spaced a short distance outwardly from the center of the cross member 16. The inner end of each lever 21 is similarly pivotally connected to brackets 24, which in turn are secured to the center cross member 12 of the upper frame 10* a short distance outwardly from the center thereof. The brackets 23 and 24 are so formed as to angle each lever arrangement 19 diagonally outwardly toward the corners of the frames. The outer end of each lever 20 carries a pin which is slidably disposed in a slot 25 of a bracket 26. The brackets 26 are secured to and disposed adjacent the outer ends of the end cross members 12. The brackets 26 are angled toward the center of the upper frame 10 with the longitudinal axes of the slots 25 disposed substantially horizontally. The outer end of each lever 21 similarly carries a pin which also is disposed in a sliding relationship within a slot 25 of a bracket 26. The lower brackets 26 are secured to the end cross members 16 of the lower frame 14. The lower brackets 26 are angled toward the center of the lower frame 14 with the longitudinal axes of the slots 26 disposed substantially horizontally. With the above described arangement of the four lever arrangements 19, the upper frame 10 may be raised and lowered relative to the lower frame 14. This relative movement will always occur within parallel planes. Any attempt to move one side of the upper frame 10 upwardly or downwardly will result in a corresponding movement of the entire upper frame 10. Further, the described leverage arrangement will prevent any lateral shifting of the upper frame 19 relative to the lower frame 14. As the upper frame 10 is raised and lowered relative to the lower frame 14, the pins at the outer end of the levers 21 and 21 will slide horizontally in theslots 25 of the brackets 26.

The lower frame 14 and the upper frame 10 respectively are further provided with plates 27 and 28. The plate 27 is mounted onthe center cross member 16 of the lower frame 14 at the longitudinal center thereof. The

coiled. spring 38 is provided and is positioned within eoi led spring 29. The lower end of coiled spring rests:..upou theplate 27 and extends upwardly toward the plate 28. A depending cylindrical member 31 maintains the coiled spring 30 in vertical alignment. The upper end of the coiled spring 30 will engage the plate 28 only when the loading on the upper frame 10 exceeds the first predetermined loading range carried by coiled spring 29. It is intended that coiled spring 29 be of a size to provide sufiicient resilient support when one person is disposed on the upper frame 10 with coiled spring 30 operating to further resiliently support the upper frame 10 upon the carrying of a second person on the upper frame 10. I

Turning next to a detailed description of the second embodiment of the present invention, reference is particularly made to Figures 4 through 6. Members in the second embodiment which are substantially identical to various members of the first embodiment are designated with the same numerals. The upper frame 40 comprises a rectangularly shaped edge member 11 having a plurality of cross members 12 secured between the side portions of the member 11. Upper frame 40 is also provided with two Ushaped channel mmebers 41 secured between the side portions of the member 11 and disposed substantially at each end thereof. The legs of the U- shaped cross members 41 are directed in a downward direction. The upper frame 40 is also surfaced with a cover 13.

The lower frame 42 comprises two side members 15 interconnected by three cross members 16 and 43. The cross member 16 is T-shaped in cross section and is positioned substantially at the longitudinal center of the side members 15. Two cross members 43 are provided, one at each end of the side members 15, and each of the cross members 43 is a U-shaped in cross section with the legs thereof directed in an upward direction. The cross members 43 of the lower frame 42 are positioned d rectly below the cross members 41 of the upper frame 40. The lower frame 40 is also provided with depending legs 17 carried on casters 18.

To provide for the controlled movement between the upper frame 40 and the lower frame 42, four lever arrangements 19 are provided. Each of the lever arrangements 19 comprises a pair of levers 20 and 21 pivotally interconnected substantially at their longitudinal centers by a pin 22. The inner end of each lever 21 is pivotally connected to a bracket 44. Each bracket 44 is secured to the center cross member 12 of the upper frame 40 substantially at the center thereof. The inner end of each lever 20 is pivotally connected to a bracket 45, and each bracket 45 is secured to the cross member 16 of the lower frame 42 substantially at the center of the lower frame 42. The outer end of each lever 21 is pivotally connected to a link 46. The links 46 are relatively short in length compared to the levers 21, and the other end of each link 46 is pivotally connected to a bracket 47. Each bracket 47 is secured substantially at the outer end of one of the cross members 43. The outer end of each lever 20 is pivotally connected to a short link 48. The other end of each link 48 is pivotally connected to a bracket 49. Each bracket 49 is secured near the outer end of one of the cross members 41 of the upper frame 40 and substantially vertically above the brackets 47 carried by the lower frame 42. Thus it may be seen that each of the lever arrangements 19 extends substantially from the center of the upper and lower frames 40 and 42 respectively, diagonally outwardly toward the corners thereof. With this described arrangement the upper frame .40 may be raised and lowered relative to the lower frame 42, and as the frame 40 is raised and :lowered. the links 46 and 48 will pivot through a small The upper frame 40 is resiliently supported relative to the lower frame 42 by two pairs of quarter elliptical spring assemblies 50, and two pairs of quarter elliptical spring assemblies 51. Each quarter elliptical spring assembly 50 comprises an upper spring 52 and a lower spring 53 which are secured together at two converging ends. The other end of each upper spring 52 is secured within one of the U-shaped cross members 41 near the outer ends thereof, and the other end of each lower spring 53 is secured within the U-shaped cross members 43 of the lower frame 42. Each of the quarter elliptical spring assemblies 51 comprises an upper spring 54 and a lower spring 55 secured together at two converging ends. The other end of each lower spring 55 is secured within the U-shaped cross members 43 of the lower frame 42 substantially at the outer ends thereof. The spring assemblies 51 are smaller in vertical height than spring assemblies 50 and the outer end of each upper spring 54 does not engage the upper U-shaped cross members 41 when loading on the upper frame 40 is in a first range. The upper springs 54 are maintained in vertical alignment by pairs of depending flanges 56 secured to the cross members 41 of the upper frame 40. It is intended that the spring assemblies 50 will serve to resiliently support the upper frame 40 when one person is disposed thereupon, and that the spring assemblies 51 will engage the cross members 41 and provide further resilient support for the upper frame 40 when two persons are disposed upon the upper frame 40.

Having described the invention, what is considered new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is:

1. In a resilient supporting structure, a rectangular lower frame assembly, a rectangular upper frame assembly, four lever arrangements, each of said lever arrangements comprising a pair of levers pivotally interconnected substantially at the longitudinal centers thereof, one end of one of said levers of each of said lever arrangements pivotally connected to said lower frame assembly substantially at the center thereof and extending diagonally upwardly to the corners of said upper frame assembly and pivotally connected thereat on the underside of said upper frame assembly, one end of the other lever of each of said lever arrangements being pivotally connected to the underside of the upper frame assembly substantially at the center thereof and extending diagonally downwardly to the corners of said lower frame assembly and pivotally connected thereto, the pivotal connections of said levers at the corners of said upper and lower frame assemblies including means permitting limited movement of the ends of said levers relative to said upper and lower frame assemblies along horizontal axes, whereby said upper frame assembly is vertically movable relative to said lower frame assembly in planes parallel to said lower frame assembly and prevented from any tilting movement of said upper frame assembly relative to said lower frame assembly, and resilient means carried be tween said upper frame assembly and said lower frame assembly and operating to resiliently support said upper frame assembly relative to said lower frame assembly.

2. In a resilient supporting structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said resilient means comprises a coiled spring carried between said upper and lower frame assemblies substantially at the center thereof.

3. In a resilient supporting structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said resilient means comprises a plurality of leaf spring assemblies, said leaf spring assemblies being disposed between said upper and lower frame assemblies in a spaced apart relationsh'p to each other at each end of said upper and lower frame assemblies.

4. In a resilient supporting structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means permitting limited movement of the ends of said levers at said corners comprise a plurality of brackets secured to said upper and lower frame assemblies at the corners thereof, each of said brackets having a slot formed therein and positioned with longitudinal axes thereof substantially horizontal, and a plurality of pins, one of said pins secured to the outer end of each of said levers and slidably disposed in one of said slots.

5. In a resilient supporting structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for permitting limited movement of the ends of said levers at the corners of said upper and lower frame assemblies comprises eight brackets each secured at the corners of said upper and lower frame assemblies, eight links, each of said links pivotally connected at one end thereof to one of said brackets, the outer end of each of said levers pivotally connected to the other end of one of said links.

6. In a resilient supporting structure, a rectangular lower frame assembly comprising a pair of spaced apart side members and a plurality of cross members secured between said side members in a parallel spaced apart relationship to each other, four legs, each of said legs secured to depend from the end of one of said side members, a rectangular upper frame assembly comprising a rectangular member defining the side and end members of said upper frame assembly, a plurality of cross members secured between the side members of said upper frame assembly in a parallel spaced apart relationship to each other, and a cover member secured over said rectangular member and said cross members of said upper frame assembly, four lever arrangements, each of said lever arrangements comprising a pair of levers pivotally interconnected substantially at the longitudinal centers thereof, means pivotally connecting one end of one lever of each of said lever arrangements substantially adjacent to the center of the cross member of said lower frame assemblydisposed substantially at the center of said lower frame assembly, means pivotally connecting the other end of each of said one levers substantially to the outer ends of the pair of cross members of said upper frame assembly disposed at the ends of said upper frame assembly, means pivotally connecting one end of the other lever of each of said lever arrangements substantially adjacent the center of the cross member of said upper frame assembly disposed at the center thereof, means pivotally connecting the other end of each of said other levers substantially adjacent to the outer ends of the pair of cross members of said lower frame assembly disposed at the ends of said lower frame assembly, said means pivotally connecting said other ends of both of said levers of each of said lever arrangements being formed to permit limited horizontal movement of said other ends, whereby said upper frame assembly is vertically movable in planes parallel to said lower frame assembly and prevented from any tilting or lateral shifting movement relative to said lower frame assembly, and first and second resilient means carried between the cross members of said upper and lower frame assemblies, said first resilient means operating to resiliency support said upper frame assembly relative to said lower frame assembly for a first range of loading upon said upper frame assembly, said second resilient means operating in cooperation with said first resilient means when any loading upon said upper frame assembly exceeds the maximum of said first range to resiliently support said upper frame assembly relative to said lower frame assembly for a second range of loading upon said upper frame assembly.

7. In a resilient supporting structure as claimed in claim 6 wherein said means permitting horizontal movement of said other ends of said levers comprises eight brackets secured to said cross members of said upper and lower frame assemblies, each of said brackets having a slot formed therein and disposed with the longitudinal axis thereof substantially horizontal, said other end of each of said levers carrying a pin thereon, each of said pins slidably disposed in one of said slots.

8. In a resilient supporting structure as claimed in claim 6 wherein said means permitting limited horizontal movement of said other ends of said levers comprises 7 eight brackets, each of said brackets secured to said cross members of said upper andlower frame assemblies, eight links, each of said links pivotally connected to one of said brackets, and means pivotally connecting said other ends of said levers to the other end of said links.

9. In a resilient supporting structure as claimed in claim 6 wherein said first resilient means comprises a coiled spring carried between the center cross members of said upper and lower frame assemblies substantially at the center thereof, and wherein said second resilient means comprises a second coiled spring disposed within said first coiled spring and terminating at the upper end thereof a certain distance below the underside of the center cross member of said upper frame assembly.

10. In a resilient supporting structure as claimed in 15 claim 6 wherein the pairs of cross members disposed substantially at the ends'of said upper and lower frame assemblies are formed as substantially U-shaped members with the legs of saidU-shaped members of said lower frame assembly extending upwardly and with the legs of said U-shaped members of said upper frame assembly extending downwardly, said first resilientmeans comprising a plurality of leaf springs carried between the upper and lower U-shaped cross members at each end of said upper and lower frame assemblies and positioned in a spaced apart relationship to each other within said U-shaped cross members, said second resilient means comprising a second plurality of leaf springs disposed between the upper and lower U-sh'aped cross members at each end of said upperand lower frame assemblies and positioned in a spaced apart relationship to each other within said U-shaped cross members, the upper sides of said second pluraiity of leaf springs being disposed a certain distance below the underside of the upper U-shaped cross member of said upper frame assembly so that said upper frame assembly engages the upper side of said second plurality of leaf springs when any loading upon said upper frame assembly exceeds the maximum of said first range.

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